International standards map for timber

One design question, four regulatory worlds

Timber is specified under different codes in Europe, North America, Japan and Australasia. This map names the standards that govern the same question in each region, and states plainly where they agree and where a European specification cannot simply be carried across. Standard texts are copyright: only titles, scopes and publicly stated structures appear here — never clause text or design tables.

Europe (EN / Eurocodes)

EN 1995-1-1 (Eurocode 5), with national annexes
EN 1990 basis of design

North America (IBC / NDS / CSA)

USA: International Building Code, chapter 23, with the AWC National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction
Canada: CSA O86 Engineering Design in Wood, referenced by the National Building Code of Canada

Japan (BSA / JAS)

Building Standard Act and its enforcement orders
Architectural Institute of Japan design recommendations for timber structures

Australia & New Zealand (AS/NZS)

AS 1720.1 Timber structures — design methods
National Construction Code (Australia)

Where they agree: All four frameworks use limit-state design with partial factors or resistance factors, and all adjust capacity for load duration and moisture.
Where they differ: Eurocode 5 works from characteristic values with material factors and k-factors; the NDS works from reference design values with adjustment factors. The numbers are not interchangeable, and national annexes change Eurocode outcomes between European countries.

CEN — Eurocode 5 (EN 1995) American Wood Council — NDS CSA Group — CSA O86 Standards Australia — AS 1720.1